Hastings

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Ian Lamb
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Re: Hastings

Post by Ian Lamb » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:05 am

yes arkell lost it unreal there always a bigger gun fighter in town!! . also can anyone name me any birds player who plays 1 f4 in this day and age rybka era that over 2620?

Richard Bates
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Re: Hastings

Post by Richard Bates » Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:07 am

Ian Lamb wrote:yes arkell lost it unreal there always a bigger gun fighter in town!! . also can anyone name me any birds player who plays 1 f4 in this day and age rybka era that over 2620?
Is that a random number plucked out of thin air? Not quite sure what relevance it has to Peter Williams (rated 2012).

It's hard enough to retain any sort of competence in one opening let alone 3 or 4. And there are plenty of examples of strong players who spend most of their time playing "pet" openings, that would be considered harmless by most of the chess playing population. Unless you're at the very highest level it is generally more important to play openings which you are comfortable with, and there is always something to be said for slightly offbeat openings where you will always have the "experience" advantage over your opponent.

Matthew Turner
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Re: Hastings

Post by Matthew Turner » Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:46 am

Peter Williams reminds me a little of Simon Williams. Simon used to play e6 on move 1, so you could have a French or a Dutch (no Staunton Gambit though). It was impossible to prepare a good line, because you could play almost anything and get a good position, but it was always a good position on his terms.
The problem with Peter Williams playing f4 is that (I assume) at some stage he will have to switch to playing another opening. I wonder how useful the ideas he has learnt for 1.f4 will be in another opening?
I hope Peter can finish off the tournament on a high note, Paul Talsma plays some slightly strange openings too and he will be a tricky opponent today.
Finally, good luck to Roger DC who has made it up to board 10 today and might have a reasonable chance against Zdebskaja.

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Carl Hibbard
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Re: Hastings

Post by Carl Hibbard » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:25 pm

I am afraid the live coverage struggled a little yesterday under quite a heavy load of around two million requests

Did anyone see any errors or even notice, it would help me to know?
Cheers
Carl Hibbard

Geoff Chandler
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Re: Hastings

Post by Geoff Chandler » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:33 pm

Corner Hasting report. Picked up on the usual blunders.

Scottish players should refrain from playing Chess on New Years Day.

http://www.chessedinburgh.co.uk/chandle ... handID=386

David Lettington
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Re: Hastings

Post by David Lettington » Sun Jan 03, 2010 1:45 pm

Matthew Turner wrote:The problem with Peter Williams playing f4 is that (I assume) at some stage he will have to switch to playing another opening.
I happened to be in Chris Ward's commentary room when Peter Williams' parents were there. They said that he doesn't play 1.f4 regularly and just wheels it out "occasionally", so perhaps it's not such a problem as he has other openings prepared too?

Matthew Turner
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Re: Hastings

Post by Matthew Turner » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:14 pm

Peter has had 4 Whites and four 1. f4's, so perhaps his parents were telling porkies.

John Moore
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Moore » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:17 pm

Blimey, David Howell arrived on time!

John Moore
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Moore » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:28 pm

and he's playing a main line Ruy Lopez!

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John Upham
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Upham » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:36 pm

Matthew Turner wrote:Peter has had 4 Whites and four 1. f4's, so perhaps his parents were telling porkies.
When PAW is in "take no prisoners" mood he wheels out the London System which is enough to make most opponents collapse.
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John Upham
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Upham » Sun Jan 03, 2010 2:38 pm

The Greet - Drozdovskij game appears to being played to a much slower time control.
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John Moore
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Moore » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:00 pm

Board 1 about to be agreed drawn?

John Moore
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Moore » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:01 pm

Obviously not :oops:

John Moore
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Re: Hastings

Post by John Moore » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:17 pm

Giffard has obviously decided not to get ground down by Keith in an ending - but g5 looks rather optimistic.

Matthew Turner
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Re: Hastings

Post by Matthew Turner » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:09 pm

I think Howell is a but worse, perhaps he should have stuck with the Gioucco.